In this episode of Plot Twist Radio, host Erin Egnatz sits down with children’s book author Lori Orlinsky, creator of the Being Me series, to talk about writing stories that help kids navigate confidence, identity, and growing up.

Lori’s journey into children’s literature began with a personal moment—when her young daughter struggled with teasing about being the smallest child in class. That experience inspired her debut book, Being Small Isn’t So Bad After All, which went on to sell more than 10,000 copies. Since then, Lori has continued writing books designed to help children understand themselves and feel empowered through storytelling.

In this conversation, Erin and Lori discuss Lori’s latest book, Being Middle, a heartfelt and humorous celebration of middle children everywhere. They explore how books can help parents start important conversations with their kids, the role humor and rhyme play in engaging young readers, and why literacy remains one of the most important tools for a child’s lifelong success.

They also talk about:

• How children’s books can teach emotional resilience
• Why reading challenges and audiobooks help kids discover a love of books
• Lori’s unique writing process and how ideas come to her throughout the day
• The importance of helping kids feel seen, understood, and confident in who they are

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, author, or lifelong reader, this episode is a thoughtful look at how storytelling can shape young minds and build confidence from an early age.

Learn more about Lori Orlinsky and her books at loriolinskyauthor.com, and follow her on social media @loriolinskyauthor.

What happens when a humor-loving author teams up with an illustrator whose imagination runs wild? You get the wonderfully weird and creative Snoodles universe.

In this episode of Plot Twist Radio, host Erin Egnatz sits down with author Steven Joseph and illustrator Andy Case, the creative duo behind the Snoodles in Space children’s book series. Steven, an attorney by day and storyteller by night, shares how humor, psychology, and a lifetime of observations inspire his quirky characters and meaningful themes. Andy, an accomplished illustrator who has worked on more than 40 books, explains how he transforms Steven’s stories into vibrant worlds packed with hidden details, strange creatures, and visual jokes for both kids and adults.

The two discuss their collaborative process, how music helped inspire their latest book Escape from Zoodle Trash, and why creative partnerships thrive when artists are willing to experiment, revise, and push each other’s ideas further.

They also share what’s next for the Snoodles universe—including the exciting possibility of bringing the series to television.

If you love imaginative storytelling, creative collaborations, and a peek behind the scenes of children’s publishing, this episode is for you.

Learn more:
Steven Joseph – stevenjosephauthor.com
Andy Case – andycaseillustration.com

What if the bravest thing a child can do is simply be themselves?

In this episode of Plot Twist Radio, Erin Egnatz sits down with author Derek Amarillas, creator of the imaginative children’s book Socko the Flamingo with Tennis Shoes. Through the story of a flamingo who embraces his uniqueness, with the help of some very bold sneakers, Derek explores themes of courage, identity, and emotional literacy in a way that’s playful, accessible, and deeply meaningful for young readers.

During the conversation, Derek shares the inspiration behind Socko, how imagination can help children understand their feelings, and why stories that celebrate being different are so important for kids (and adults) alike.

Erin and Derek also discuss the creative journey of bringing a children’s book to life, from collaborating with illustrators to building a larger storytelling universe that supports social-emotional learning in classrooms.

You’ll also hear about Derek’s literacy outreach, his upcoming classroom resources for educators, and what’s next for the growing world of Socko.

Whether you’re a parent, educator, writer, or simply someone who believes in the power of storytelling, this episode is a reminder that sometimes the greatest courage is embracing what makes you unique.

Where to find Derek:

Instagram

Amazon

From Wall Street to Rural India: Dr. Abraham George’s Life of Service

On this episode of Plot Twist Radio, Erin sits down with Dr. Abraham George, soldier, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and social reformer, whose life journey is the definition of a true plot twist.

After building a successful business career in the United States, Dr. George made the remarkable decision to leave it behind and dedicate his life to helping some of the poorest and most marginalized communities in rural India. For the past three decades, he has worked on initiatives focused on poverty alleviation, education, and social justice.

In this inspiring conversation, Dr. George shares the experiences that shaped his mission, the challenges of working within complex systems of bureaucracy and inequality, and the powerful lessons he’s learned along the way.

We also discuss his newly released memoir, Mountains to Cross, which reflects on the defining moments of his life and the message he hopes readers will carry forward: compassion matters, but action is what truly changes lives.

If you’ve ever wondered how one person can make a difference in the world, this episode is for you.

Where to find Dr. George:

Dr Abraham George – Philanthropist & Founder, Shanti BhavanInstagram

What if the blocks holding you back aren’t just mental but energetic?

In this episode of Plot Twist Radio, Erin sits down with Katia Davis, intuitive purpose coach and Reiki master teacher based in Hilo, Hawaii. Katia shares how she sees energy blocks as tangible images (swords, chains, even snakes) and how those blocks connect to emotional patterns in our lives.

Together, they explore:
✨ What Reiki actually feels like (including Erin’s unexpected “energy high”)
✨ How chakras work and why your throat chakra might be calling you out
✨ The connection between nature, grounding, and frequency
✨ Why spiritual exploration doesn’t have to be scary
✨ Quick ways to shift your energy when you’re stuck in a funk

From ghost hunting to energy healing, this conversation dives into the unseen forces that shape our experiences — and how we can work with them instead of against them.

Whether you’re spiritually seasoned or simply curious, this episode invites you to open the door just a little.

Connect with Katia at Inner Rainbow Healing and take her chakra quiz to discover which energy center may need attention.

Because sometimes… the biggest plot twist is within.

Where to fins Katia:

Chakra Healing, Reiki & Purpose Coaching | Inner Rainbow Healing with Katia DavisInstagram

What happens when you walk away from a 14-year career, board a plane, and decide to write the book you can’t find on the shelves?

In this episode of Plot Twist Radio, Erin sits down with travel blogger and aspiring novelist Michelle Jensen to talk about reinvention, resilience, and chasing adventure; both on the page and in real life.

Michelle shares:

• Her leap from television post-production to full-time travel blogging

• Spending four and a half months traveling solo through Europe

• Swimming with sharks in Belize (and climbing Maya ruins)

• Writing an Indiana Jones inspired adventure novel during lockdown

• Surviving over two years in the querying trenches

• And the emotional shift that came after leaving the career she’d built since she was 18

This conversation is honest, funny, and refreshingly real about what it takes to pivot your life and keep going when the “yes” hasn’t come yet.

If you’ve ever dreamed of reinventing yourself, traveling solo, or writing the story you wish existed… this one’s for you.

Where You Can Find Michelle:

TravelHerStory.com
@MichelleWritesANovel

AI isn’t coming. It’s already here.

In this episode of Plot Twist Radio, Erin sits down with Zac Engler, Chief AI Officer at C4 Tech Services and author of Turning On Machines, to unpack what artificial intelligence actually means for our jobs, classrooms, and daily lives.

From Fortune 500 boardrooms to college discussion boards, AI is changing how we work, create, and connect. But is it replacing us… or redefining us?

They discuss:
• Why AI isn’t an “easy button”
• The future of education in an AI-driven world
• How writers, creatives, and professionals can adapt
• The skills that will matter most in the next decade
• And why the real power belongs to people who understand what’s coming

If you’ve ever wondered whether to fear AI, embrace it, or just try to survive it, this conversation is for you.

Where to find Zac:

LinkedIn

zacengler.com

What happens when someone who spent a lifetime recommending books finally decides to write one?

In this episode of Plot Twist Radio, Erin sits down with author and retired school librarian Monte Crabbs, whose collection The Drum Tech and Other Stories explores the thin line between ordinary life and the uncanny: from a robot posing as a student teacher to a vampire musician and a fly-fishing tale with a surreal twist.

Monte shares his journey into writing later in life, the influence of horror and fantasy classics, why short stories live or die by their endings, and how real-world experiences quietly evolve into strange fiction. The conversation also dives into creativity after retirement, overcoming the fear of starting “too late,” and why sometimes the best stories arrive when you stop trying to force them.

If you’ve ever thought about writing a book someday… this episode might convince you that someday can still be now.

Find Monte and his work: montecrabbs.com
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